Material handling means



Feb. 16, 1932. CLAPPER MATERIAL HANDLING MEANS Filed Dec. 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet l JWN HAN Feb. 16, 1932. CLAPPER 1,845,906

MATERIAL HANDLING MEANS Filed Dec. 6, 1929 6 Sheets-heet 2 y Feb. 16, 1932. 1 cLAPPER MATERIAL HANDLING MEANS Filed .Dem 6, 1929 f3 F493 I I l Ir L. CLAPPER MATERIAL HANDLING MEANS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 6, 1929 lea/ml C! /nef I?? We@ fa?" Cf/f {fifa/wey@ Feb. 16, 1932.

Feb. 16, 1932'. L. CLAPPER MATERIAL HANDLING MEANS Filed Dec. 5,- 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 16, 1932. L, CLAPPER MATERIAL HANDLING MEANS 6 sheets-Sheet e Filed Dec. 6, 1929 f77 Wwf/07' T/07rd (Ya/'Wwf L Patented Feb. 16, 1932 PATENT OFFICE LELAND CLAPPER, OF TWO HABBORS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR T ROBERTS & SC'HAEFER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS MATERIAL HANDLING HEANS Application led December This invention relates to a sand preparing and handling plant. It has for one object to provide a plant which will be Wholly automatic in its operation and which will store, prepare and supply sand automatically. Other objects will appear from time to time in the specification and claims.

In one form of the invention it may be applied to a locomotive sandin plant in which sand is stored in one contamer and is automatically released from that container, treated, conveyed `to a delivery container and from that container delivered, when needed, to a locomotive. Many other arrangements might be adapted which would embody my invention. It is described herewith, however, in connection with the locomotive sanding plant.

My invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatcally in the accompanying drawings, in Which- Fig. 1 is an elevation with parts broken away and parts in section, showing a locomoti ve sanding plant Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section on an enlarged scale, showing in part the sand storing bin. together with the sand treating and suppl ving mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken at an angle of 90o to Fig. 2 and showing the same general assembly of the parts;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section taken on an enlarged scale at line 4-4 of Fig. 2, showing the sand drum and valve assembly and valve operating parts, with the sand valve open;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken at line `5 5 of Fig. 4l, showing the main sandvalve closed;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View, taken at line 6-6 of Fig. 3, showing the sand gate and its controlling mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal cross sectional view, taken at line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section taken at line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a verticalcross section showing the sand delivery storage tank with the supply controlling float in its upper position;

Fig. 10 is a similar view, showing the tank s, 1929. suini No. 412,033.

largely empty, with the supplying control in the lowered position;

Fig. 11 is ahorizontal cross sectional View, taken at line 11--11 of Fig. 9.

Like parts are indicated by like characters .as

throughout.

A indicates a housing for a locomotive sanding plant. It may be provided with suitable supports A1 A1 by means of which it is preferably `positioned above the ground 4so `or a foundation A2. Any suitable number of locomotive tracks Aa A3 may be positioned upon the ground a proper distance from the .sanding assembly.

Located Within the housing A is a sand 465 storage and distribution tank or bin B. It is carried on a suitable support B1 and is provided With one or more sand discharge tubes B2. From these tubes branches B3 may be provided. Spouts B* are `used for final dis- 470 and rotary movement. The spouts B4, when `I5 not in use, are held in a raised position by cables B, each of which is attached at one end to a spout B?, is run over a sheave B7, Which is supported from the housing A or the supports A1. At the opposite end of the cable Bone or more counter-Weights B8 are positioned. The combined Weight of the counterweiohts is normally `sufficient to hold the sand disc `marge spout in a raised position when it is not manually held in the downward or dis- 85 charge position. A valve mechanism may be included in the joint B5 by means of which Vflow of the sand is `preveliited except when the spout is in the downward position. Locomotives B9 B9 are shown as in the `filling posi- 90 tion and sand is being discharged into them. B10 is an exhaust connection to permit discharge of air and dust. y

C is a sand `receiving and storing bin or `receptacle, suitably supported, preferably in a raised position, on supporting members C1 C1. Thesand may be introduced into the bin C in any suitablefashion and by any appropriate mechanism. For the purposes of the present invention, it is suoient that a i ec sand storage receptacle be provided and that means be provided for putting sand into it. Ordinarily the sand, as it arrives in this bin, may be moist and may have foreign matter and impurities in it. The bottom of the bin C is preferably formed by a partition or dividing wall C2, in which one or more open ings C2 are formed for the discharge of sand from the bin. On each side of the openings C a track member C4 is positioned. y These members serve to carry gates or closing plates C5 C5. As shown in Fig. 3, theiright hand gate is closed andthe left hand gate is open. Pivotally attached at the outer end of each of the gate plates C5 is a notched bar C5. C7 C7 are operating handles by means of which the gate plates C5 may be moved to the open or the closed position. Each of them, at its `upper end, embodies a yoke C5 which is pivoted to a fixed support as at C9 and has extending across it one or more pins C10. The

[notched bar C5 lies between the arms of the yoke C5 and the handle C7 may be moved so that the pin C1o engages in one of the notches fof the bar C6.

D is a sand dryer. Itis formed preferably "of coiled pipe through which steam or other heating medium is circulated. The heating coil made up of the pipe, forms the receptacle in which the sand is held during drying. The proportions of the coils are such that wet sand will not escape through the spaces left between adjacent coil members, whereas dry sand will escape and thus moist sandbeing put into the dryer remains there until it has been dried and then passes out. The coil D is supported and held together by means of flange members D1 D1, whichare fastened to the floor C2 of the bin. Surrounding the dryer D is a casing made up of a plurality of membersl D2, Veach of which is provided with anouter flared portion D3. These members are joined together by supporting or frame members D4 which are themselves pref erably fastenedto the floor C2 of the bin.

` The bottom of the bin itself may be provided with one or more floor plates D5. D5 D5 are frame members extending laterally across between the supporting members C1 C1. Mounted upon the members D5 is a hopper D7. Extending across the hopper are supports D5, between which screen sectionsDf are removably positioned and supported. D is an air supply line, extending into, the

hopper D7 and provided with perforations D11 tlirouglrwhich air may be discharged D12is a downward extension provided with a preferably upwardly facing discharge nozzle portion D15. l:By means of this air supply assembly, air may be blown into the sand in the hopper at any time that itis thought necessary. D11 is a gate plate movably positioned and adapted in one position to close the discharge from the hopped D7 and in another to open it. D15

D15 are track members preferably fastened to the bin D7 adjacent its bottom discharge opening. rlhese track members may be made up of angles, channels or I-beams, or any suitably flanged member. In general the gate is supported upon and runs along the laterally extended flanges as indicated particularly in Fig. 6. Fastened to the gate are two tubular members D15. D17 D17 are rods, one lying'within each of the tubular members D15. The rods D17 are joined at each end to each other by means of cross members D15, which, by means of turn buckles D1 D2", are fastened to cables, the turn buckle D19 being fastened to a cable D21 and the turn buckle D2,0 being fastened to a cable D22. Thetrack members D15 are provided with one or more oppositely positioned perforations D25 through which a pin'D21 may be inserted.

lThe pin is provided with a chain D25 by means hopper-like portion E1, above or within which is positioned a screen section E2. The housing E is provided with an opening E3 which is preferably positioned beneath the i discharge opening from the hopper D7. The

housing E is also provided with a discharge chute portionf'E1 which is positioned to discharge overa partition E5 into a refuse Vbin E5. The hopper portion E1 and the screen housing and screening parts are all supported from a drum E7, the hopper E1 dischargingy through a restricted passage E5, past a valve construction which will be described below,

into the drum E7.

The restricted passage E8 is formed in a member F whichris provided with a laterally extending flange F1 which is itself supported from al valve housing member F2 which is divided by.` means of a partition F3 and is provided with an upper laterally extending flange F1 which is fastened to the flange F1, and a lower laterally extending ange F5 Vwhich is fastened to the drum E7. By means Y of these parts' the screen E2 and its associated parts are supported from and adapted to move with the drum E7. The valve partition member F3 is bored out as at F5 and is further provided with a bored out portion F7 which is preferably pointed upwardly. The passage through the housing F 2 is thus subdividedinto the two channels F8 F5. F9 is a valve member generally conical in shape and provided with a reducedr portion F 1 which latter is positioned within the bore F7. Positioned about the conical portionpFfr is a generally conical rubber gasket member F11 and positioned about it .and partially overlying it is a metallic', conical meinberof somewhat lesser size F12. vThe conical metallic member and the' conical rubber gasket are removably held in position by a screw F15.

Lafrance G G are a pair of generally vertically extending suportin members carried upwardp opposite ends they are joined by an adjust- :a )ly positioned cross member G which may `be of such size or wei `ht as to serve as a counterweight member. astened preferably oen- D22. The levers G2 G2 are slotted as at G and by means of bolts G7 G7 the cross meinbcr Gr5 may be adjusted in or out to vary the leverage which its weight exerts upon the lever arm G2. G2 is a sheave provided with `a yoke G9 which is attached by a chain G2" to the foundation A2. The sheave G8 is positioned adjacent the drum and beneath `the cross member G5. The yoke and the chain are of sullcient weight to act as a counterweight to keep the cable D22 tight. G is a post to limit the counterweight.

Extending laterally from the member F2 and joining the `bore F is a pipe H. It is eemnected to a union H1 from which a section of pipe H2 extends downwardly into the drum E". A second section of pipe H3 extends to a valve housing H. A third section of pipe H `extends upwardly from the union H1 and is fastened to a T H, the upper end of which is closed by a plug H". Fastened to the T is a pipe section HB which by suitable elbows and other connections is carried downward about the drum E7 and finally `penetrates the drum and terminates in a nozzle part or section H".

I is a pipe positioned within the drum E7 in, `general alignment with the nozzle part H9 of the pipe H. It extends outwardly through the top of the drum E7 and by means ot the laterally extended member I1 it is attached to a. flexible section I2. This flexible section is joined to the rigidly mounted pipe I `which extends upwardly and terminates in a downwardly bent portion I* which penetrates into and is adapted to discharge into `the bin B.

Within the valve housing H is positioned a valve J. It is provided with two ports J1 and J2. The valve is a three-way valve, the valve housing being provided with a port J 3 to which the pipe section H3 is provided, a port J* to which the air intake J 5 is provided and a port J f to which the exhaust J 7 is provided. The intake section J5 may be provided with air from any suitable source by inea-ns of a flexible pipe or hose Js and the exhaist section J 7 may be attached to a pipe section J which may `be flexible -or formed in any other suitable manner.

The valve member J 4is formed with an extension J1 which extends laterally beyond rate the valve body. To this is attached an op* erating handle K. Pivotally attached to the handle K is a valve operating rod K1. It is threaded throughout a considerable length towards its lower end as at K2. K3 is a memprovided with a laterally extending part, as

shown, which is perforated as at K.

Through this perforation the threaded portion K2 of the rod K1 penetrates and is adapted to move freely. Two or more pairs of nuts K5 K5 are adjustably positioned on the threaded part K2 of the rod K.

L is a cover mounted on the upper end of `the bin B and may be provided with asepay ortion L1 through which the supply pipe penetrates and to which it may be attached. Positioned for rotation on the cover is a sheave L2. The cable D21 runs in this sheave and is fastened to a tubular section L3 which is positioned about the pipe I* and is of such size that it can move freely up and down upon it. Fastened to the member L3 and extending downwardly and outwardly from it is a plurality of rods L4. These rods are fastened to the tubular section L3 preferably adjacent its upper end. Adjacent the lower end of the tubular member L3 is a plurality of downwardly and outwardly extending rods L5.. All of these rods engage and support a ring-like member L". The member Iliade up of the tubular section L, the ring L `and the rods L* and L5 may be called a float because it will always rest upon the top of the sand wit-hin the bin. L7 L7 are rods extending transversely across the bin and serving as a downward limit beyond which `the float cannot move. The float is shown in this full downwardposition in Fig. 10, where it is shown as resting upon the stops L7.

It will be realized that while I have shown a practical and operative device, ymany changes might be made in the sine, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention: Particularly the invention might be embodied in a plant designed for supplying material other than sand, and for supplying liquid instead of solid material. y

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

In Fig. 1, the bins C and B are full of sand. The gate D is closed and sand is not being discharged into the drum E?. As .shown in that figure, two locomotives have `]ust coinmenced withdrawing sand from the tank B. As this is done the level of sand in that tank will lower and the float will be lowered with the falling level of material. When this movement has continued suiliciently, the cable D21 will be pulled sufciently to open the gate D. Sand will be discharged from the hopper D7 upon the screen E2 and will pass over the part E" through the restricted opening Esand into the drum. At the time that .70 ber fastened on one of the supports `Gr Yand the lever G2 to the position shown in dotted lines in that figure; draws upon the cable D22, closes the gate D14 and raises the float I4 to approximately its upper position. The falling movement of the drum changes the valve setting and causes air pressure to be applied to the interior of the drum. This air under pressure is thus discharged, through the nozzle part HJ into the pipe I and from the drum and through this pipe sand is raised through the pipe I3 and discharged into the bin B. This operation continues as long as the drum is in the lowered position. When the drum has been largely emptied, the leverage of the parts G2 and G5 is sufficient to raise the drum again to the full line position of Fig. 2. The parts have'thus again reached the position which they occupy in Fig. l and if the level of the sand in the bin B is suficiently high to support the float at or near its upper limit, the parts will remain stationary. If withdrawal of sand from the bin B has continued during this time, it may be that the level of the sand is not sufiicient to support the float at or near its upper position. Since it is the weight of the drum and the sand which as it falls initially raises the iioat and holds it in the raised position, it is clear bin C and discharged into the bin B, so long as the level of the material within the bin B is not suiiiciently high to support the float so that its weight does not become effective to open the gate D14. Whenever the iloat'can fall sufiiciently to open the gate D14 it will do so, provided that at the same time the drum is itself not inthe lowered position. The cycle of automatic operation b-y means of which the bin B is constantly filled is,

therefore, controlled by the withdrawal of material from that bin and the consequent lowering of the float. Y y

As mentioned above, the valve F F10 is shown in Fig. 4 in thepcsition in which sand may be fed past it into the drum. Vhen the air valve controlling handle and the air valve f are moved into the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4 and the exhaust connection J9 is closed, air pressure passes through ,the

. dispensing bin.-

`pipe H3, the union H1 andthe pipe H into the bore FG F7 and seats the fvalve F9 in the position shown in Fig. 5. This preventsv escape of pressure from the drum and permits the air .pressure to raise the sand from the drum into the dispensing bin.

W'hen the parts are restoredl to the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 4, the exhaust connection Jg'is opened, pressure within the drum is relieved and the valve F.9 is again free to resume the position indicated in Fig. 4.V

In the operation. of the sand` dryer, sand, as it drys, falls between the pipe sections and will fall onto the elements D2. The proportion of these elementsis such andthe size and relative location of the openings between 'them and pilesup uponY them will reach its angle of repose-before it can pass through the opening between the members and thus an escape for moisture is provided between the elements D2 but sand cannot pass out at the same place. y

I claim:

l. In combination a material handling plantav receiving bin, a dispensing bin, and automatic means for conveying material from .the receiving bin to the dispensing bin, said means including a third receptacle movably mounted and adapted to be filled from thel receiving bin and to be discharged into the dispensing bin yand to move to control the discharge of material into the dispensing bin.

2. In combination in a material handling plant, receiving bin, a dispensing bin, and automatic means for conveying material from the receiving bin to the dispensing bin in response to emptying of the dispensing bin, said means including a third receptacle v movably mounted and adapted -to be filled from the receiving bin and to be discharged into Vthe dispensing bin and tomove to control the discharge of material into vthe dispensing bin.

plant, a receiving bin, a dispensing bin, and automatic means for conveying material from the receiving b-in to the dispensing bin, jsaid means including a third receptacle movably 3. In combination in a material handling mounted and adaptedto be filled from-the receiving bin and to-be discharged into the dispensing bin, said meansbeing automatically controlled by the variation of level of material in the dispensingbin and to move to control the discharge of material into the 4. In combination in a material handling plant, a receiving bin, a'dispensing bin, and

automatic means for conveying material from the receiving bin tothe dispensing bin in response to emptying of the dispensing bin, said means including a thirdreceptacle movably mountedand adapted to bel filled from the receiving bin land to be discharged into the .c

Luanco dis nsing bin, said means being automaticontrolled by the variation of level of material in the dispensing bin and to move to control the discharge of material into the dispensing bin.

5. In combination in a material handling plant, a receiving bin, a dispensing bin, an, automatic means for conveying material from the receiving bin to the dispensing bin in response to emptying of the dispensing bin, said means including a third receptacle adapted to be filled from the receiving bin and tc be discharged into the dispensing bin, and means for filling it and discharging it into the dispensing bin, said means being automat-ically controlled by the variation of level of material in the dispensing bin.

6. In combination in a sand handling assembly, a sand storage bin, a sand delivery tank, means for discharging sand from said tank, means for automatically re-filling said delivery tank in response to the withdrawal of sand therefrom, said means including a movably mounted receptacle adapted to receive sand.

7. In combination in a sand handling assembly, a sand storage bin, a sand delivery tank, means for discharging sand from said tank, means for automatically re-filling said delivery tank in response to the withdrawal of sand therefrom, said means including a movably mounted receptacle adapted to re ceive sand and means for moving sand from said receptacle to said storage bin.

8. In a sand handling assembly, a storage bin, a movably mounted sand drum adapted to receive sand, a sand delivery bin, selective sand delivery connections from said bin, a float member movably positioned within said bin, adapted to move in response to variations of the sand within said bin, a gate controlling the discharge into the drum, the ioat adapted by its lowering movement to open the gate, the drum adapted to close the gate in response to its own downward movement.

9. In a sand handling assembly, a storage bin, a movably mounted sand drum adapted to receive sand, a sand delivery bin, selective sand delivery connections from said bin, a float member movably positioned within said bin, adapted to move in response to variations of the sand within said bin, a stop to limit the lowering movement of the lloat within the bin, a gate controlling the discharge into the drum, the float adapted by its lowering movement to open the gate, the drum adapted to close thc gate in response to its own downward movement.

10. In a sand handling assembly, a storage H bin, a movably mounted" sand drum adapted to receive sand, air connections to said drum, an automatic valve operating mechanism adapted to control said air connections and to he operated automatically by movement of the drum, a sand delivery bin, selective sand delivery connectionsfrom said bin, a float member movably positioned within said bin, adapted to move in response to` variations of the sand `within said bin, agate controlling the discharge into the drum, the :float adapted by its lowering movement to open the gate, the drum adapted to close the gate in response to its own downward movement. y V

11. In a sand handling assembly,` astorage bin, the bin arranged to discharge into a second bin adapted to receive sand and air pressure elements within said second bin, a movably mounted sand drum adapted to receive sand, air ccnnectionsto said drum, an automatic valve operating mechanism adaptedto control said air connections and to beoperated automatically `by movement of the drum, a sand delivery bin, selective sand delivery connections from said bin,` a float member movably positioned within said bin, adapted to move in response to variations of the sand within said bin, a stop to limit the lowering movement of the floatwithin the bin, a gate controlling the discharge into the drum, the float adapted by its lowering movement to open the gate, the drum adapted to close the gate in response to its own downward movement. i

12. In combination in a material handlin plant, a receiving bin, a dispensing bin, and automatic means for conveying material from the receiving bin to the dispensing bin in response to emptying of the dispensing bin, said` means including a third receptacle adapted to be iilled from the receiving `bin and to be discharged into the dispensing bin, said means including afloat member mounted within the dispensing bin, adapted to fall with lowering of the level of material Within that bin. i'

13. In combination in a material handling plant, a receiving bin, a dispensing bin, and automatic means for conveyingmaterial from the receiving bin to the dispensing bin in response to emptying of the dispensingbin, said means including a third receptacle adapted to be filled from the receiving bin and to be discharged into the dispensing bin, and means for filling it and discharging it into the dispensing bin, said means including a float member mounted within the dispensing bin, adapted to fall with lowering of the level of material within that bin.

14. In combination in a material handling plant, a receiving bin, a dispensing bin, and automatic means for conveying material from the receiving bin to the dispensing bin in response to emptying of the dispensing bin, said means including a third receptacle adapted to be filled from the receiving bin and to be discharged into the dispensing bin, and means for filling it and discharging it into the dispensing bln, said means being automatically controlled b the variation of levelof material the ispensing bin, said automatic control including al ioat member positioned within the dispensing bin, adapt-V ed to fall with a lowering of the level of material invthat bin and adapted in its fall to initiate discharge of material to said third receptacle.

" In a material handling plane, a receiving receptacle and a dispensing receptacle and means for supplying the dispensing receptacle from the receiving receptacle, said means including a third receptacle, the latter being movably mounted, and a iioat element in the dispensing receptacle, air conveying n means adapted to convey' material from the third receptacle to the dispensing receptacle, thev third receptacle being movably mounted and adapted, when in one position, to receive material from the receiving receptacle x and by reason of its movement to cut off the air supply, adapted in another position to cut off thematerial supply to it and turn on the'air supply.

16. In combination in a material handling A plant, a receiving receptacle and a dispensing receptacle, means forl supplying the dispensing receptacle from the receiving receptacle and automatic means for controlling this supply in response to withdrawal of material from the dispensing receptacle, said means including a third receptacle mounted to rise and all,the latter receptacle positioned to rise automatically when substantially empty and to fall automatically when substantially filled with material, parts associated with said third receptacle adapted when it falls automatically to cut off the supply of material to it and automatically to initiate discharge ofV material from it to the dispensing ,Y receptacle.

17. In combination in armaterial handling plant, a receiving receptacle and-a dispensing receptacle, means for supplying the dispensing receptacle from the receiving receptacle and automatic means for controlling this supply in response to withdrawal of material from the dispensing receptacle, said means including a third receptacle mounted to rise and fall, the latter receptacle positioned to 50. rise automatically when substantially empty vember, 1929.

LELAND CLAPPER.

and to fall automatically when substantially Y A lled with material, parts associated with said third receptacle adapted when it falls automatically to cut oii thersupply of mau terial to it and automatically to initiate Vdischarge of material from it to the dispensing receptacle, and a oat positioned in the dispensing receptacle and adapted, when free to move, to. fall in lresponse to lowering of the, level of material in the dispensing receptacle and means operated by. movement of the float to initiate discharge of material to the mova-bly mounted receptacle.

g 18. In combination in a material handling plant, a receiving bin, a fixed dispensing bin, and automatic means for conveying material 

